Yes, it is true! TWISTED TOWER DIRE are back eight years after the release of “Make It Dark”! Needless to say that I am thrilled by this release since I am a longtime fan of the band, and I consider “Isle of the Hydra” one of the hidden gems of the early ’00s and “Netherworlds” a hugely underestimated album.

It is no secret that the band has been through a lot. Tony Taylor‘s passing (one of the finest voices of the newest metal scene) has left them scarred and I do not believe that they have been truly healed, yet they are still around trying for the best. Bet let’s see what we’ve got here.

“Wars In The Unknown” is the newest album and I consider it to be a much better effort than “Make it Dark”. Not because “Make it Dark” is a bad album, but “Wars…” seems to be more focused and more compatible with the band’s history. While they maintain the more retro style they adopted in “M.i.D.” the new album draws influences from the band’s most prosperous era which is the “Crest of the martyrs” years. Which means that besides the twin leads and the numerous THIN LIZZY/early IRON MAIDEN, you will find a barrage of galloping riffs, soaring leads and a long-lost, but never forgotten heroic attitude.

Songs like the “Light the Swords on Fire”, “True North”, “And the Sharks Came Then”, “Riding the Fortress” do seem as if they got out of the “Crest…” album, while the awesome “A Howl in The Wind” has some touches of the bands very first album when their style had an epic/doom essence and “The Beast I Fear” is a tribute to the “Isle…” album. The band is in great shape and they manage to transfer their passion to the listener, never letting him grow weary or bored. As for Jonny Aune, I have to admit that although he lacks the epic, dreamy tone of Taylor, he has his own unique style, quite retro but still powerful.

Make sure not to let this album go. The band has managed to deliver a great record, authentic and full of passion for listeners who crave for metal. TTD had always been around, during the good time and the bad times, they are honest and true fans, and their love for metal is captured in this album.